FOOD AND HEALTH ESSENTIALS

Glutamates additives evaluated for their safety

A panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded its research on the safety of glutamic acid-glutamates used as food additives, and has determined an acceptable daily intake (ADI) level for glutamate additives.

Working on a request by the Commission of the European Union (EU), the EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) found that an ADI of 30 mg/kg of body weight per day for six different glutamate additives represents “the highest dose at which scientists observed no adverse effects on test animals in toxicity studies.”

Glutamates are commonly used to enhance flavours in a wide variety of foods, typically imparting a “meaty” or “savoury” taste.

It is expected that the ANS findings will result in action by the EU Commission to modify existing regulations related to the use of glutamate additives in food.

The complete text of the EFSA’s review of the safety of glutamates is available here.